Busan is good

Busan City Sets KRW 566.4 Billion in Its Second Supplementary Budget for 2025 to Improve Citizens’ Quality of Life

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced today (May 26) that it has formulated the “Second Supplementary Budget for 2025” amounting to KRW 566.4 billion, which marks a 3.3% increase from the original budget of KRW 17.0442 trillion.

This supplementary budget is funded by the surplus from the previous fiscal year, increased non-tax revenues, and additional national subsidies. The focus areas are:
➊ revitalizing the local economy and securing future growth engines,
➋ creating a warm and inclusive welfare community for all,
➌ establishing a safe and healthy daily life for citizens, and
➍ enhancing public convenience and improving quality of life.

1. Revitalizing the Local Economy and Securing Future Growth Engines – KRW 85.1 Billion

This budget allocation aims to strengthen the local economy by expanding support for SMEs and small business owners, and by promoting startup and venture business growth, professional workforce development, and transition to future industries to enhance economic sustainability and urban competitiveness.

• ●Corporate Support: Increase support for SME accounts receivable insurance to 250 companies to reduce risk management costs and enhance transaction stability; expand export credit guarantees to improve liquidity and management stability; allocate an additional KRW 50 billion in SME development funds and expand interest subsidies to reduce financing costs.

• ●Startup and Venture Growth: Establish and support a KRW 200 billion fund for startups and ventures; form a KRW 250 billion fund to support the transition of SMEs to green and digital industries.

• ●Technological Innovation: Launch new initiatives such as building a demonstration base for robotic end-effectors in manufacturing and supporting digital transformation in small- and mid-sized shipyards to boost productivity.

• ●New Growth Industries: Promote projects such as an AI-based autonomous manufacturing demonstration system for large mobility components, demand-driven quantum technology demonstration and consulting, and support for preliminary hydrogen-specialized companies to strengthen the foundation for growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises.

• ●Small Businesses & Agriculture/Fisheries: Implement the “Receipt Concert” program, which exchanges receipts from small businesses for concert tickets to boost sales; introduce public benefit subsidies for farmers and fishers to ensure income stability and sustain the social value of agriculture and fisheries.

• ●Talent Development: Expand the RISE (Regional Innovation-led University Support System) project to establish a virtuous cycle of local talent cultivation, employment, and settlement; strengthen the region’s foundation for innovation and growth with professional workforce training programs.

• ●Tourism Support: Revitalize the local economy by supporting cruise tourism, developing wellness and medical tourism, and enhancing infrastructure for festivals and tourism to boost global competitiveness.

2. Building an Inclusive Welfare Community – KRW 53.4 Billion

The city will realize welfare services without gaps or disparities for vulnerable groups, aiming to make Busan a city where everyone wants to live.

• ●Low-Income Households: Expand emergency welfare for those in temporary crises; increase the Earned Income Tax Credit program to support self-reliance; provide subsidies for 410 private rental housing units.

• ●Seniors: Expand operational support for senior centers and job programs to ensure active and healthy lifestyles for the elderly.

• ●Persons with Disabilities: Increase allowances for disability activity support and developmental rehabilitation services; purchase and operate 10 additional “Duribal” welfare vehicles for improved mobility and stability.

• ●Maternity and Childcare: Expand programs for maternal and newborn health care, infertility treatment subsidies, and postpartum care support tailored for Busan residents; strengthen support for comprehensive childcare centers and “Moonlight Children’s Hospitals” to foster a parent-friendly childcare environment and address low birth rates.

• ●Youth: Launch relocation and brokerage support programs for young residents and expand rental housing support to stabilize youth housing and life.

• ●Care Services: Promote a warm community through the “Happiness Mileage” program that rewards volunteer participation; increase funding for victims of the Hyungje Welfare Center case and expand customized care services.

3. Realizing a Safe and Healthy City for All – KRW 52.6 Billion

Placing the highest priority on protecting citizens’ daily lives and safety, the city will strengthen safety nets and create a healthier living environment.

• ●Safety: Proactively manage risks through projects such as minimizing casualties from heatwaves, addressing ground subsidence, and expanding disaster prevention infrastructure.

• ●Traffic Safety: Continue installing CCTV cameras and safety fences in school zones to prevent child traffic accidents.

• ●Healthcare: Expand visiting health care services, support trauma centers and emergency medical institutions, and increase preemptive testing for infectious diseases to strengthen essential healthcare systems.

• ●Wellness: Expand sports facilities to promote health and enjoyment in daily life for all citizens.

4. Enhancing Public Convenience and Quality of Life – KRW 78.4 Billion

The city will improve convenience and quality of life through better transportation infrastructure, pleasant living environments, and leisure opportunities.

• ●Public Transportation: Busan’s unique integrated public transportation discount system, the “Dongbaek Pass,” introduced in 2023, will now include mobile service in the second half of the year to increase user convenience.

• ●Transit Upgrades: Upgrade the LTE-R wireless communication network in the Busan Metro and continue citizen-friendly transit policies to make Busan the most convenient city for public transportation.

• ●Infrastructure: Complete the Manduk–Centum expressway and construct the Hadan–Noksan line to build a multi-layered traffic network and alleviate congestion.

• ●Urban Environment: Improve pedestrian paths, bury overhead wires, and repurpose vacant homes into social infrastructure to enhance the residential environment.

• ●Leisure & Culture: Open the Nakdong Art Center and Busan Convergence Innovation Center; create forest walking trails for pets to offer citizens relaxation and leisure in daily life.

Mayor Park Heong-joon remarked, “The top value and goal of the 8th popularly elected Busan administration is to realize a 'Citizen Happiness City' and a 'Global Hub City' for the happy lives of Busan citizens,” adding, “We will dedicate all administrative efforts to ensure a safe, healthy, and hopeful future for our citizens, and we will move forward together with them.”